- A new Covid variant, BA.3.2, is spreading across the US and may be able to evade protection from current vaccines.
- First detected in South Africa in 2024 and the US in June 2025, the variant has been identified in clinical samples, traveller swabs, and wastewater across over 20 states.
- BA.3.2 possesses 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein, which lab studies suggest enables it to evade antibodies activated by existing Covid vaccines.
- Researchers indicate that the 2025–2026 LP.8.1-adapted mRNA Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated the lowest antibody neutralisation against BA.3.2 compared to other variants.
- While BA.3.2 is not yet dominant and detected cases have not shown increased severity, scientists stress the importance of monitoring and adapting responses as the virus continues to mutate.
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